This is Who We Are: Brett and Ashley Blackwell
July 30th, 2014 | John Chandler
This is Who We Are is an interview series where the women and men of Austin Mustard Seed introduce themselves. If you’d like to participate, send an email to Chris Morton.
This week’s interview is of Brett and Ashley Blackwell. Brett and Ashley actually went to high school together but didn’t meet and start dating until they met at a mutual friend’s birthday party five years ago. Ashley moved to Denver about six months after they were dating and Brett followed after he found a job. They lived in Denver for several years while Ashley attended graduate school. Thankfully for Austin Mustard Seed, they decided to head back and work in Austin after Ashley finished.
Where are you from?
Brett: We both grew up in Georgetown.
How did you find the Austin Mustard Seed?
Ashley: I Googled “churches in north Austin” and found the website. I loved how intentional it was and the sense that the church wasn’t made of experts but people who were trying to figure out together how to do church.
What sports do you play?
Brett: A big part of our hobbies together is playing soccer.
Does it ever get competitive?
Ashley: If we weren’t on the same team, it probably would.
Brett: Ashley’s the more competitive one of us!
Ashley: I enjoy playing because it’s a place to hang out with people we otherwise wouldn’t necessarily spend time with and a great place to meet non-believers.
What’s the most exciting place you’ve ever been?
Brett: Jamaica
Ashley: That’s where we went on our honeymoon.
Brett: Do I need to say anymore?
Ashley: No.
What food do you bring to a potluck?
Ashley: Anything in a crockpot. That’s my specialty.
What is your favorite story or verse in scripture?
Ashley: The story of Joseph, especially at the end. He goes through such hard things—my mentor read over it with me when I was working at a group home. I was able to connect with the other girls in a really rich and raw way because of my own experiences. Bad things happened but the Lord took them and used them for good.
Why do you follow Jesus?
Brett: The reason I follow Jesus is because of my personal experiences with the way he showed me what true love is and how powerful that is.
What is one thing you love about Austin Mustard Seed?
Ashley: The humility with which they approach the idea of church.
Brett: The people—just the honesty and openness we experience in relationships there.
How can people contact you?
Email Brett